Tuesday, December 25, 2007

I apologize for not having posted for a while. Unfortunately, I have had a number of "technical" glitches, including losing all my pictures of my Hogwarts swap package so I will have to re-gather those items (what hasn't been eaten anyway) for their pictures. But it also seems that time has just gotten away from me. Anyway, I'm so sorry it has taken so long to get these up but it doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed them immensely. So, without further ado, I acknowledge recent swap packages.

I received an awesome package from Mary for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange. She is from Vegas, hence the dice, a lovely cookbook, notepad, picture frame, teas and hardware for the bag. A darling calendar, kitty treats and a beautiful skein of Malabrigo.And the most amazing bag! It is the first crocheted felted item I have seen and the colors couldn't be more perfect. What an amazing amount of time and effort she put into this. And it is for my new laptop. Couldn't be more perfect!Sorry for the colors- the bag is much more vibrant than it shows here. Thank you so much, Mary! You put so much time and thought into this and I have really appreciated it.

Here is my swap-y goodness from Heather for Yarn Junkies 8-Orange. All kinds of fantastic hand spun textures in shades of orange as well as orange chocolates, a much needed new mug and some very cool stitch markers.

I'm going to work up a magic ball wrap using these yarns. It will be so much fun and so perfect for my taste. Thank you so much Heather!

I received my final package from my SP11 spoiler, Elin, from Australia. She has sent me some lovely Malabrigo, an Australian mag, tasty treats and Briar Rose, a pattern by Ysolda in my previous packages.

Well, she certainly took the time to get to know me because she sent me some fantastic and much wanted items this time.

This is how they came out of the package.And after opening all the goodies, I have some beautiful yarn by Colinette and Rowan, an Elizabeth Zimmerman book, a pair of Fetching in purple, some purple soap that smells divine and some more tasties. Thank you so much Elin. You have been a great SP11 partner.

I don't know how many times someone has complained that a feather & fan scarf, while beautiful, is not symmetrical. I also don't like that, in a scarf, you don't always get to see the wave pattern as well because there is usually only one pattern repeat. So, to solve those 2 problems, I present:

For first half (make 2):Cast on 27 sts and knit 4 rows. Work pattern repeat 31 times, then repeat rows 1 & 2 once more. Place on holder. Make second half the same way. Return first half to needle, being sure that needles are pointing in the same direction when the two halves are held together. Kitchener/graft the two halves together or 3 needle bind off. Weave in ends.Enjoy!

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Here is a picture of the progress I have made on the side-to-side scrap painting project I have been working on. This is a sample of what you might create putting together scraps out of your stash. During our second Swap Meet on Friday, November 9, this will be offered as a free one time only workshop for that evening. Our Swap Meets are for ya'll to bring in a few skeins of yarn that you might no longer be partial to (please, no used or mutilated skeins, make it something you wouldn't mind receiving), add them to the "stash" and, in return, you get to take a few skeins that enhance the stash that you want to work with.

I, of course, wasn't happy with what I started with ( see November 2 entry) so I added these novelties. Yeah, yeah, I know. Novelties are "out"! Too bad- I still like them. And I think they have really added dimensionto my project.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Thanks to the ramdom number generator (better known as the hubby) Christine is the winner of the sock method survey! Congrads Christine. I will let you know what colors I have available in the Baywood to pick from.

Sunday is the Fuzzy Friends Club at the shop so I have created a felted stuffed fish for the project. I knit it out of leftover Cascade Indulgence.Above is before felting, below is after. I haven't even stuffed it yet, but Joey still finds it acceptable for playing with.

Wait until it has catnip in it. Will they love it then!

On Friday, November 9, we will have our next Swap Meet. The purpose is to sort through your scraps, organize what you might want to use together, then trade what you don't want for fibers you can use with what you have kept. To keep you motivated, I will offer a free scrap painting workshop which includes a basic template for a side-to-side garment. Below is the scrap palette I'm using.It includes wool, mohair, silk, cotton, linen and polymides in all shades of fuschia, lavendar, rose, and pinks with a little green and beige. There is one sparkly (which didn't make the picture), several fuzzies, one boucle and the rest are smooth.

And this is what it is looking like so far.As I say, it is side-to-side construction, starting with the body, and can be a vest or can have sleeves added to make a cardigan.

I look forward to showing you one way of making the most of your scraps. See you there!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

I have been remiss in not posting to acknowledge my fantabulous Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap Partner. It took me so long to post because I had trouble getting pictures of everything!

Christine P took me to St. Petersburg, FL on an awe inspiring tour. There were innumerous postcards that showed how beautiful the country is there.It was also a testimony to the fantastic tourist attractions, museums and restaurants that one could visit.

And talk about food! She sent all kinds of treats, some representative of the citrus that is native to the area, some that was representative of what can be seen, like a chocolate alligator!Christine works at this really cool sounding place called St Pete Shuffleboard Courts and it is the largest shuffleboard court in the world. It has all kinds of really artsy activities and she went above and beyond to get me one of their last available T-shirts. Thank you so much- I wish I could come down and play! It sounds like so much fun!

I love tea and Christine sent me 2 scrumptious teas from a place called Hooker Teas. OH. MY. GOODNESS. I never knew there were so many tea blends! They have like a 5 page menu! And weekly specials! OK, I would visit there just to be able to go to this place.

I even went on line to see if they had other stores but they don't. Wonder if they are interested in starting one in Bakersfield?

And a Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap wouldn't be complete without, duh!, yarn! And where do you think my favorite yarn comes from? Yup, Prism yarn comes from St Petersburg FL (OK, Anne! Did you realize this or was it just a lucky coincidence? Knowing you, it was all part of your master plan!).Again, Christine outdid herself. She sent me Stuff in Periwinkle and 2 Andee in Senegal. But, as if that wasn't enough, she also sent a cool beaded row counter from an Etsy store called Hide and Sheep. I have seen these and thought they looked very cool. Now I just have to learn to use it.

Christine, thank you, thank you, thank you! What a marvelous vacation. I really hope to be able to visit your beautiful city someday.

And just a quick post of my Hogwarts Sock Swap II sock.The picture is intentionally blurry so that the recipient can't tell what it looks like. But believe it or not, I am going to finish a pair of socks. Mark this day on your calendar- you won't see this often!

I am continuing the Favorite Sock Method contest until November 1 and the prize will be a skein of Baywood Sock Yarn-winner's choice. So let's hear it from all the sock knitter's out there- what is your favorite method and why?

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Unbelievably, it has been 2 years this month since my mom passed. There isn't a day that I don't think about her, miss her and, of course, have regrets about the last year of her life. The shoulda, woulda, coulda kinds-"maybe if I had done this, she would have pulled through" kind, the complete waste of energy kind. I keep thinking it should get easier but it continues to be hard and gut wrenching. But one thing this grief is teaching me- Make Every Day Count! Live it to the fullest and enjoy your family, no matter how much they might irritate you. Please, believe me, don't take anything in life for granted. Just enjoy. Thanks for listening.

Now, for your enjoyment, my first free pattern on this site. Hopefully, the first of many!

With A and #19 needles, cast on 70 sts.Row 1: K3, *P2, K2* to last 3 sts, K3.Repeat for total of 32 rows, piece should measure approx 12".Next row: Join B. Using both yarns together and #35 needles, K2tog across-35 sts. Work 9 more rows in stockinette stitch; should measure about 5" from decrease row. You should have about 5 yds of each yarn left for bind off.Bind off very loosely as follows: Knit 2 sts very loosely, *insert left needle into the front of these 2 sts and knit together loosely. Knit next st loosely and repeat from *, fastening off last st. Weave in ends.The purl side of the collar is the right side. This makes it roll nicely. Fasten with stick or shawl pin. Weave is very loose so you can sew buttons along one side, if desired.Enjoy!!

This is a really quick knit, like 6 hours. It can be worn so many ways and is flattering on everyone. Hopefully, it could make a great Christmas gift. And any bulky yarn could be substituted but I like the texture of these 2 fibers. If you make it, send me pictures or a link. I would love to see them and I'm sure everyone else would too!

And, of course, my life is not complete without some new animal story. I think Joey is in the process of becoming another dog/cat. My dogs hate him, you know, like the little brother "don't tag along with me" kind of hate. Despite the fact that they growl at him, he insists upon trying to eat out of their bowls (at the same time they are!) and making them groom him. His newest trick is sleeping with them. Now, mind, the dogs have both of our couches (Rick & I are relegated to the recliners) but Joey was laying on one of the couches, so both dogs squeezed onto the other one. When I looked again, where was Joey?

Where else? Wedged in besides Dottie. Poor dog, she kept rolling her eyes, like "get him out of here!".

Thursday, October 11, 2007

OK, I have a question for ya'll. What is your favorite method of knitting socks and why is it your favorite? It seems that the "2 at a time on 2 circulars" is generating a lot of interest and I am curious. I've been content to keep plugging along on my handy-dandy, old fashioned double points/top down but I guess I'm going to get drug into some of these new fangled methods whether I like it or not, kicking and screaming. No one seems to care about the "trying to teach an old dog new tricks" adage. Oh, and if anyone wants to coach me on how to work this random generator thang that I keep seeing everyone talking about, I might even enter ya'll into a contest. Let's see.....what would be a good prize?

Now for some "swap gratification" pics.This is from the Hand Dyed Sock Yarn Swap.

Sorry it is so blurry but this was the only way I could get the true colors. It is from Chris and didn't she peg my favorite colors? Just beautiful. And I just love your blog with your cats! I want to know how to add the captions like you do! What a hoot!

This is from Debbi for the Yarn Junkies 7- Brown Swap.Also hand dyed by Debbi in a colorway she calls "Rolled Golden Wheat". With a coordinating notebook and some very cool, hand made stitch markers.

A beautiful calendar with pictures of the Thames (did I mention she was from across the pond?), a very beautiful and inspirational book, mementos of all the places she knit at which include the sea shore and her lovely garden with various, assorted creatures (it sounds so peaceful and nature oriented), candles, sweets, darling stitch markers, tea and yarn, just to mention some of the goodies. Oh, and this absolutely stunning wrap.

My pictures don't do it justice. It is Tri-aran-angle from knitty.com Fall 03 in a yummy, heathery blue/green/lavender color. Awesome job, Wendy! I just love it and all the thought that was put into this package. I feel like I was there while you were working on it, thanks to all the "mood" items that you included. Thank you again and I hope the adoption is continuing to move along smoothly.

And here are the long awaited pictures of Bonnie and Abra's Mi-Ki pups. There 2 girls and 1 boy and it sounds like they are all already spoken for. One of the girls even has a tentative name-Aflac. It seems she has a marking on her back that looks like a duck! Can you see it?

Monday, October 01, 2007

I have been working hard to catch up on my swaps and honoring my pledge to not join any more until I'm caught up, so I have no idea right now on what is going on in the world of swaps! Probably a good thing but it is so hard to not just peek. Anyway, here is a package from my SP11 spoiler from Australia.

Man, she really nailed me. Green and Malabrigo- what more could I ask for? How about a magazine I haven't seen before with some really cool, funky designs? And chocolate with raspberry filling (which is long gone, thank you very much!). What a thoughful partner!

Here is a picture of my Hogwarts Sock Swap project. Hand dyed bamboo/merino blend in the blue/bronze Ravenclaw colors. It is coming along nicely and I only had to start it 3 times to get gauge. I hope Sally will like it (Hi Sally!).

And this is for my Fall Felted Bag Swap spoilee. It is the Kiss Bag from Sally Melville's "Color" book using Kureyon (I know, Anne, but I luv Kureyon!). I wasn't sure at first about the colors but I think it is going to be really cool.

Sorry the picture is blurry but I ran out of batteries so couldn't take another shot.

I took a short detour when I found out that a co-worker was having a baby shower. When they told me that her theme was turtles and her colors were green and purple......well, what could I do but make her a blanket using the Embossed Turtle Dishcloth pattern as an intarsia block and scrap painted the rest of the blanket out of my stash (easy, with the color theme, lol).

We have been doing a lot of scrap friendly projects lately using the Magic Ball idea but I like the term "scrap painting" when it comes to color coordinating scraps into a project. It just seems to fit.

And this is what I felt like after working on all this stuff. It seems like Joey is the only one getting his picture taken lately but he is the only one who is around whenever I have my camera out. Hopefully, I will have pictures of Mi-Ki puppies soon (hint, hint, Bonnie!) and can post them.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

I admit it- I have Swap-in-mouth disease! I love being in these things and was keeping up well. But I was building a house of cards. When I got ill, it all came tumbling down and now my poor swap partners are paying the price. I feel like I will never catch up! I promise, I am working hard to get back on track and am now on a swap "diet". Too much of a good thing is still- too much!

But the benefits are so awesome. Here is my Yarn Junkies 6-Yellow package from Else; all the way from Norway! What a beautiful , buttery shade of yellow, co-ordinating different weights in a yarn that I have never heard of. And the multicolored she sent me out of her own stash that she had purchased in Japan! There are also some scrumptious sounding teas (which I'm going to try as soon as I get this posted).

You are so awesome Articgirl 64! And I envy you your weather- I'm dying to have some cool weather to inspire working on winter projects.

We had a great time at the yarn tasting last weekend. I'm sorry to those of you that couldn't make it due to the re-scheduled date but we will have another one at the beginning of November. Should have lots of great new fibers to try.

And here is one of the fibers, Martha, by Schaefer, in color "Rosa Parks" being worked up in the Ballet Neck Twinset Cardigan by Annie Modesitt from IK Spring 2004. It is lambswool, cashmere and dehaired Angora (who woulda thunk?) and is incredibly soft with no shedding. Of course, that means that Joey has to be sure that there is some hair on it.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

I apologize for being absent for a few weeks. It is taking a while to climb back from an illness 2 weeks ago but we are almost up to speed. The Fall Yarn Tasting is scheduled for this Sunday, September 9th and the weather should be very conducive to planning that fall sweater, wrap or afghan, so we hope you will join us. The fibers are luscious and I think you will like the fall palette we have chosen.

And this is how a cat performs a yarn tasting-literally! Thanx to Sasha and Tobie for the great photo!

For the next few months at the shop we are concentrating on "scrappy" projects that hopefully will inspire you on how to combine some of that stash into creative, beautiful and useful projects that you will enjoy or that would make great gifts. Many of them use the Magic Ball technique. I have to note here that I use this technique very differently, but this article gives you some place to start.The first one is a Magic Ball afghan for the Project Linus Blanket Out that Bonnie and I will be attending on Saturday September 8.

It is using Encore (donated by Plymouth Yarn Company) and the pattern will be free at the Blanket Out. Here is the info:

COVERED IN LOVE - MAKE A BLANKET DAYSeptember 8, 2007 10A.M. – 3P.M.Co-Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints5500 Fruitvale Ave

For more information contact: Michele Willis, Project Linus Chapter Coordinator 398-0254 or quilts4kidz@sbcglobal.net or www.orgsites.com/ca/bakersfieldkerncountyWe would love to have everyone join us to work on items for this marvelous local charity.

It is not actually scrap yarn but you could certainly use scraps of the same weight as I am changing colors every 2-4 rows. Cool, huh?

And this is Chris Bylsma's Ladder Shawl using supplemented scraps, also with the Magic Ball technique.

I'll be dropping the stitches to make the "ladders" tomorrow afternoon at the shop so come on by and check it out.

I'm so blessed to have thoughtful customers, whom I also consider friends. One of these recently brought me a Kitty Catnip Quilt that she picked up on vacation in Hawaii. Precious broke it in and wouldn't let anyone else use it for 2 days! Even the dogs took a turn on it. Thank you, Mary, and all the kids thank you also. It gives me an idea for creating one out of scrap yarn. Hmmm...............

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Here is a sneak preview of some of the yarns we will be "sampling" at our third tasting on Sunday, August 26. I have to note that there seems to be a lot of silk and silk blends this year which is wonderful because they take the color so well and add a lovely sheen. As I say, we have had shipments this week from Cascade, EuroYarns and Needful so there will be a surprise or 2 thrown in. I'm really looking forward to it and hope you are also.

I snapped this picture last night while totally in shock. The white cat is Precious, our deaf kitty who is usually on the low end of the pecking-order-totem-pole. And the little black & white is our newest, Joey, who is about 4 months old and as ornery as they come (you better believe there is a vet visit in the very near future for him!). To find them curled up together basking in the last of the day's sunshine was very amazing. Just goes to show, you never know what someone can be capable of if given the chance.

Course, it lasted about 30 minutes and then they were at it again. But I guess there is always hope.

Yep, another swap. I can't help it, I'm addicted. Actually, my keeper seems to be having some sway over me as I have limited it to one new one per month. Isn't that reserved of me? Since I love to felt, this should be a fun one!

Fall Felted Bag Exchange Swap QuestionnaireHow long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom? For 45 years. For 3 months, a lady next door got me started and otherwise, I am self-taught.What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting?It was a Kitty Pi Bed. It seemed sort of magical the way that felting your knitting changed it.What are your favorite colors? Any you hate? Green and purple are my favs. I really like all colors but dislike neutrals & blacks.What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!) I like med-large shoulder bags with embellishments. Noni (large market bag) or Nicky Epstein (fuchsia bag) are good examples. I also recently acquired a laptop (Like I know how to use it!) so could use a bag for that.What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting? I currently have an old, rather shabby huge project bag that everything is dumped into. I need to get organized!!What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? I really like to wear my knitting so, since I am of a certain size, and because it doesn’t get horribly cold here in Bakersfield, I really like to make wraps, shawls and shrugs.What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum) Wood and bamboo straights are my favorites (luv Lantern Moons) but I really like my Denise kit and have found I enjoy Lace Addis when I do need to use circulars.What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make? I haven’t done any shadow knitting yet and hope to try that this winter.What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with? Malabrigo is one I haven’t tried yet. Chasing Rainbows and Alchemy are a couple of hand painted companies I want to try.What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden? I’ve tried spinning-takes away too much time from knitting. I do like to dye, I bead and I work with polymer clay. I used to sew and quilt.Besides yarn, do you collect anything? Craft books & magazines of all sorts. I have quilting, cross stitch, needlepoint and the above mentioned crafts. Oddly, I find I don’t have any of EZ’s books which I would like to have.What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to? No allergies. I prefer white chocolate to milk but love peanut butter cups. I also like dark chocolate with fruity tastes (raspberry, etc...) I guess I’m currently in a sweet mode.Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!) No 2 legged ones. I have 1 horse, 3 real dogs, and 6 cats, 2 of which think they are dogs. Actually, the horse thinks she is a dog also, but that is another story!What kind of project best personifies you and why? I love combined colors and textures so Prism patterns & yarns are one of my favorites. I have made a number of Chris Bylsma’s Crayon Box/Dancing Crayon patterns with numerous textures. Straight st st on smooth yarn is just not my thing. Anyone remember Fantacia yarns (Barry Klein’s mother’s company, I believe, before they started Trendsetter)? That was my absolute all time most exciting knitting- it really got me motivated.What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer! I wish we had more of the seasons here but I just love the cooling off that Autumn brings. That tang in the air in the mornings that promises the holiday season is coming.Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.I would support/start an animal rescue program. It would include free neutering/spaying/vet services for anyone who needed it.In conjunction with the above, I would start a pet therapy project. I believe that the unconditional love offered by animals can cure a number of traumas and reach people when other methods fail. It seems like a win/win situation.I would start an artists co-op. I like to try to support individual artists and would like to be able to do it on a large scale, in a number of mediums.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

This is a picture of what the shop looked like on Friday when everyone had dropped off their Summertime Dishcloth Swap packages. You guys really got into this! There was an amazing amount of creativity and generosity displayed. You guys make me very proud to know you.Doesn't it look like Christmas?

And everyone had a great time opening their goodies. It was very exciting. Have you been in to pick up your package yet?

We had such an enthusiastic

response that we will

probably start another

swap in a few weeks, this one

with an Autumn theme.

Any suggestions?

Our happenings at the shop this weekend include the Crayon Box Jacket workshop on Saturday which was very popular last year. The brown/black version is last year's version and has gotten a lot of wear.This lovely lavender/berry/green/teal version is the one I'm working on for this year. This one is mostly silks with a few novelties. We will do several follow up sessions to be able to assist with any problems anyone might have. Remember, the pattern produces a Chanel-type cardigan but I have adapted mine to a shrug.

And Sunday is our Autumn yarn tasting. We have 10 yarns lined up- a few novelties, a few non-wools, some silks and some silk-wool blends. 3 are hand dyeds, a few are variegated the rest are solids. The needle/ hook sizes will run from 6/G to 13/N. I think we will have something for everyone. Look forward to seeing you there.